The Wrath of Khan (Div A) – Week 4

 

What did I learn from last weekend’s games? The Rainmakers are on course of not qualifying for the playoffs; the Mercenaries can score, but can they make a stop on defense? Are the Shockers “hulking” back into form?

Rainmakers Look Defeated

The Rainmakers had two opportunities to position themselves for a playoff spot. But now, they are on the verge of not qualifying for postseason play.

Yes, the first five games on their schedule were very tough as their opponents (Goodfellas twice, Shockers, Mercenaries, and Triple Sixers) have a combined record of 11-5. This week, they once again play the Mercenaries who last Sunday, scored 52-points on their porous defense.

Their defense has given up a league high average of 34.8 points per game. Things have gotten so bad for them that their quarterback, Ryan Kastner was rushing against the Mercenaries. It is time for Kastner to get this defense to equal the high standards of their offensive output.

This offense can put up points, as they dropped 51-points on the Mercenaries. But they can ill-afford to continue on with this run and shoot philosophy in hopes of beating their opponents. At some point their defense will have to step-up and make a game changing play. Otherwise, they could be on the verge of going down the no wins path.

Does Six Adi Sharma’s Equal to a Solid Defense?

For a team filled with veteran superstars, the Mercenaries sure know how to score points at a rapid pace. But can they make a stop on defense?

In what is considered to be their strength (defense), has been their glaring weakness. Last weekend, they gave up 51-points to the Rainmakers, but still managed to win the football game by a single point. So far, in their first four games, they have given up huge chunks of points (Triple Sixers scored 46-points in a losing cause).

In one instance, it seemed that DA quarterback of the year candidate, Carmine Pollice was not too happy with the play calling, as the Rainmakers had huge gains throughout the game.

So what can defensive captain, Adi Sharma do to stop this massive leak? Maybe if there were six Sharma’s on the field, then there would be no problems. But then again, BP Oil would not have the same problem as the Mercenaries if they had six Sharma’s as well.

After this weekend’s tilt against the Rainmakers, the Mercenaries will be taking on the meat of the competition that will include; Goodfellas, Kingz, O.N.S., and Shockers. Very tough matchups! Hopefully by then, they, and along with BP will have their leaking capped off.

 

Is Hulkamania Back with the Shockers?

Are the Shockers back? One week can make a huge difference. This team went from pointing fingers at each other to now rekindling the swagger that they had last year. In an emotional matchup, they held their former teammate, Kevin Wyeth and his O.N.S. to a single touchdown.

The intensity level was evident from the start. The chess matchup between these two teams was remarkable to watch! Wyeth knew all the moves the Shockers defense would throw at him. Meanwhile, Kishon Thompson knew the plays Wyeth would go with on offense.

For a league that is tailored to scoring points (see Mercenaries-Rainmakers) the 15-7 final is usually what the score line is at the halfway point of the first half. Factor in, that the lights went off inside the complex that resulted in 15-minute delay; this game had everything that a fan would want.

It is obvious the Shockers had the extra motivation to prove their critics wrong. Furthermore, they broke in their latest quarterback acquisition, Fred Dupuis into the fold! Dupuis looked solid as he tried to manage the game given the nucleus of players he has to work with. According to reports, Guillaume Ward might be a target for the team as well. So could the Shockers potentially add another piece to their arsenal?

But on Sunday night, it was their defense that carried to them victory. Late in the second half, in what could have been the kill shot for the O.N.S., Ryan Brewster made a beautiful catch, but was flagged by Andre Knights at three yard line. A few plays later, in what might have been the greatest pursuit by a rusher, Gary Bloomfield chased Wyeth for a good seven seconds before batting the ball down.

The Shockers played one of the best team defenses ever in FPF to restrict Wyeth and his offense to single touchdown.

But the only blemish from this game is if the Shockers expose Mike Godyn (who has been away from the team for last 12-months) too much on the field? On a few occasions, Wyeth went to Godyn’s side, but the O.N.S. receivers could not hold onto the ball. It could have been disastrous for the Shockers, had O.N.S. connected. Yes, it will take time for him to get his legs going, but in a critical game, the Shockers should have slowly brought him back into the lineup.

Otherwise, it was a great game by a team that looked dead in the water seven days ago earlier. If that game was not intense enough. Just wait until Sunday, when they have a re-match with their DA nemesis Goodfellas.

Looking Ahead

If I am Rey Starwar, I could not have asked for a better start to the season. Sitting at 3-1, at best they could be in sole possession of second place by Sunday night depending on the outcome of the games. But entering the second half of the season, they could potentially run the table on a few teams.

Already, they have the tiebreaker advantage over the Shockers. Depending on what the Goodfellas do the next two games, the Kingz could seize first place. They are looking really strong, but will this bye week hurt their momentum?

Goodfellas have been counting down the weeks to this showdown with the Shockers. Jamaal Pierre has been pacing back and forth wanting a piece of the defending champions. This weekend they will get their shot.

Have the Goodfellas been dominant? To an extent yes, but they are not closing out teams with ease that a budding FPF champion should be doing.

The key element for them this weekend, is how good will Benny Goodfriend be? Will Kishon Thompson get into his head enoughto get him off his game? Historically, Goodfriend has not had his better games against the Shockers. The Shockers will let him know that throughout the contest. So it will be important, that the Goodfellas do not get into the mind games with the defending champions, otherwise, they will lose this battle.

According to Daron Basmadjian on the WEPL taping, Charles Antoine-Sinotte is expected back in the lineup. This will be a huge lift for the Rainmakers psyche to have one of their best players back. However, will he be enough to jumpstart their season, in hopes of getting one of the last two spots? Rainmakers have a lot of homework to do, and I am not referring to their “Mechanics and Parts”, 310, course.

Percentages%

2%, that the Rainmakers will go winless.

10%, that Jamal Pierre will get a “UR”.

15%, that the Kingz will be in the first place in two weeks time.

18%, that the Shockers (aka Redskins) will add another player to their roster. That player will be in the form of Jason Prince.

25%, that the total of the Shockers-Goodfellas game will hit 45-points.

30%, that O.N.S. will score 35-points this weekend.